Business Secrets of the Trappist Monks

One CEO’s Quest for Meaning and Authenticity

By: August Turak

Narrated by: August Turak

In addition to his work as an entrepreneur, corporate executive, and consultant, for the last 16 years August Turak worked alongside the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey, watching firsthand as they undertook new enterprises and sustained an incredibly successful business practice.

Service and selflessness are at the heart of this 1,500-year-old monastic tradition’s remarkable business success, an ancient though immensely relevant economic model that preserves what is positive and productive about capitalism while transcending its ethical limitations and internal contradictions. Combining the lessons he's learned from 30 years of business experience with intimate portraits of the monks at work, Turak shows how Trappist principles have been successfully applied in a variety of business settings. He demonstrates how the monks and such agnostics as Warren Buffett are wildly successful not despite their fanatical commitment to the highest principles but because of them. Turak also points to other transformational organizations that share critical components of the abbey’s philosophy conducive to success.

©2013 August Turak (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

This is a must listen!

I recommend this book highly! Can't wait to listen again. Much food for thought! I have read it three times and listened once, but not the last!!!
So glad the author was the reader. Very well done!

Such a great story

Loved every minute of this book. I hope to put the advice into practice. I also bought Brother John.

Succeed in Business without Losing your Soul

Do you consider business writing heartless at worst, and boring at best? August Turak will change your mind. The rather wildly successful Turak takes his lessons from the monks of the Mepkin Abbey and shows how he brought them to work in his business... Fascinating.

What I found especially gratifying were the peeks into the cycles of monastic life. Turak has a keen sense of what motivates and drives people and you see it in his observations here; planting, harvesting, meditation, meals, and also the personalities of the monks who lived there.

Turak narrates himself and does a wonderful job of conveying his interest in the subject and regard for the people he's written about.

Sage advice wrapped in an engrossing story

This was my 2nd listen though I expect not my last. I read quite a few business books as well as spiritual books and this one manages to bring those two worlds together better than any other I have read.

A powerful business book on it's own right, Turak compels the listener with a central theme of service and selflessness as discovered through the monastic tradition. The discussion of the heroes journey and how organizational leaders can tap into the innate desire for transformation is particularly excellent.

Wonderful book

Can apply to anyone life. Very inspiring, do yourself a favor and read. The narration is perfect!

Great insights from a compelling story

The author, Augie, doesn't have the smoothest voice, but he obviously cares about his material. And it is great material. He presents the listener with well thought out case for his main thesis, that Monks have learned how to succeed in business and their 1500 year process can work for everyone. His points were good enough, and the story compelling enough, I will likely listen to it again.

relevant

A solid affirmation of my own personal journey and struggles with life.
Very revealing. Really enjoyed the narration.Many thanks!

The hero's journey

A real journey! The most memorable moments are the values learnt during his time with the monks.

One of the best business books I've ever read.

What did you love best about Business Secrets of the Trappist Monks?

This is a profoundly personal story, full of insights that are hard earned, well orchestrated, and utterly persuasive. NOT your average business advice from what we have gotten used to reading and hearing .

What was one of the most memorable moments of Business Secrets of the Trappist Monks?

It feels like an inside story from a surprisingly wise, super-smart, well- seasoned.... friend.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. Chapter by chapter, one day, one chapter.